The AIF Project

Cecil Thorold LEIGH

Regimental number4227
Place of birthAlbury, New South Wales
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationFarmer
AddressMelbourne, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 10.5"
Weight108 lbs
Next of kinFather, Mr G H Leigh, Ferndale, Edward Street, Elsternwick, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil (previously rejected for AIF enlistment on account of teeth)
Enlistment date20 July 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name7th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/24/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 29 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll59th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 17), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
168
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Abbassia, 19 February 1916; discharged to Overseas Base, 19 March 1916; total period of treatment for venereal disease (gonorrhoea): 29 days.

Taken on strength, 59th Bn, Duntroon Plateau, 20 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Posted missing, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 29 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Handwritten note on Form B103: 'Presume Buried In No Man's Land approx 5J90 43 to 5K02.5.1 Sheet Hazebrouck 5A'.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Statement, Red Cross File No 1580701, 2500 Lance Corporal D. HENRY, D Company, 59th Bn, 4 september 1916; 'He was shot through the body at Fleurbaix during the charge. I was wounded and lay in a small trench some distance out. I saw him lying near for about an hour. I thought he was dead, but he suddenly asked me for a drink. I pulled him into the trench with me and gave him a little water. I was afraid of giving him too much. I asked him how he was. He said he was wounded all over. I saw signs of only one wound. The blood was flowing freely from his left breast just above the heart. I wanted to try to take him back, but he was too bad. I had to leave him and crawled in at about 2 a.m. after telling him I would let the stretcher bearers know where he was. He lay about 300 yards out, over the second Creek. I do not know anything further about him. I fear he died.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, LEIGH Cecil Thorold
Red Cross file 1580701

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